The idea is universal: We all want to buy low and sell high. It’s what makes stock traders salivate, and it drives investors as well as those who own a business. Heck, it even pushes the fans of E-Bay and wine collectors too. Everyone wants to get a deal on the front end and then again on the back end.

We sports gamblers like value too. If you’re serious about making a buck betting the numbers, you know it’s to your advantage to look for situations where teams and/or totals (over-unders) are either under or overvalued. From there, you can use your handicapping skills and knowledge to act.

When you bet, every selection is based on a value that you place on a team or a total.  Gambling lines are not scientific- they are made on the basis of power ratings and then moved by public opinion and big money. But guess what- linesmakers and big money make mistakes and finding situations where you can take advantage of these mistakes can make you a winner.

Early on, first time bettors like to bet only good teams. “Hey, this Georgia team is great.” Or last year, “How about those Rams?”

Then the opposite takes over- this team blows. “Damn does Northwestern suck or what?” And how can we forget, “The Bengals really stink.”

I say that both are bad ways to look at sports gambling. While they may be good ways for you to look at sports, you have to remember that sports and sports gambling are distant cousins.

Fact number one: Good teams do not necessarily cover the spread more than bad teams. In fact, bad teams that compete and play hard are often the best choice for a wager. Look at The University of Nevada and the Houston Texans.

When it comes to the NFL, too many of you concentrate on how a team performed the previous year. That’s why the Rams and Steelers buried a lot of you in the first few weeks of the season. And now the Patriots are killing you as well. 

As the season wears on, different teams begin to exhibit signs of being under or over valued. Good teams that got off to a rough start now become excellent choices to wager on. Think of the Steelers now that they’ve settled down at QB with Tommy Maddox.

On the over-valued side, looking back wasn’t it silly to make New Engalnd-3 over Denver last week? Ah, 20-20 hindsight. This week, the line has taken into consideration the heretofore undervalued Bills and the once overvalued Patriots and Buffalo is now a  2.5-point favorite.

As we head into the deeper part of the year, the very good teams (both college and pro) rarely offer much value because the oddsmakers adjust their lines upward. Similarly, come December, those wagering on teams fighting for playoff or bowl berths are paying an extra price as well. There’s simply little value betting a team that has to win.

As we move into November, look for bad teams that are still playing hard, good teams that are finally hitting their stride and one-time powers in decline. And this week that all adds up to play on the Cardinals taking points at home against the Rams.

And then there’s the line itself. If you want the number to be at least 7-points, don’t settle by taking six-points. Remember, this is a marathon and not a sprint. Just like shopping for a suit or even a house, the right price will eventually come along.

Good luck

Nick Rizzo